“So what does that say for me right now that my dick is hard just hearing about it?”
The visual spurred an involuntary groan. “I think you know what that says, Cooper.” Needing to know something that had pricked at the doubts I held on to, I then asked, “Has a visual of a woman fucking a man ever made you hard?”
He audibly dragged in a breath. “My excitement while with a woman is usually dependent on being physical. Watching people having sex or hearing about it never did it for me… until recently.” I wanted to say that spoke volumes, but I remained silent, allowing him to draw his own conclusion. “Is this common?”
“What?”
“This insane attraction we have. Is it a normal thing?”
“Not for me. I’m guessing that scares you?”
“No. We already know my dick wants what he wants. And now I think it’s safe to say my heart does as well,” he then admitted, yet again shocking the shit out of me.
“Does it now?”
“Yeah, it does.” Hearing such a forthright claim knocked my cockiness back a step or two. Despite my reservations going into this thing that seemed to be happening with us, despite the protective shield I’d hid behind after Corey fucked me up as he had, I wanted to admit the same. But for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to do so.
Instead, I asked, “The question—what are you going to do about it?”
“I think…” He paused and amended by saying, “Actually, I know that it’s time to turn some fantasies I have regarding you into realities.”
“That admission comes with consequences, Cooper,” I threatened. I’d say it again… this wasn’t a game, and he needed to know his words held weight.
“I’m well aware,” he retorted without an ounce of hesitancy.
Fuck, if I was anywhere near him, he’d be naked beneath me in a heartbeat. But he was there, and I was here, and it looked like my hand would be pathetically supplying another night’s worth of relief because of this damn man.
Somehow it was already the middle of June. I’d been away for three weeks, and yet it felt like a year.
When Bella Viaggi pulled into port that morning, I successfully swapped places with Martin, who had returned in time for the next journey. Cooper had no idea my temporary assignment covering for Martin was now over. In fact, I also kept that from Marco, who was too busy pacing his home, waiting for his wife to go into labor. And I kept it from Rebecca, mainly because she had a big mouth.
It wasn’t until I walked into my apartment that I let the cat out of the bag and called Cooper.
He answered with, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Why?” I acted dumb while grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
“You should be running around doing your thing, being all charming, for the next voyage.”
“That is assuming I’m on the next voyage,” I countered. “Martin’s back.”
“Where are you now?”
“My apartment.” I couldn’t tell if his silence was a good thing or a bad thing. “You there?”
“I’m here. I’m sure you have a ton to do.” It was clear he was probing.
“I do… but first on the list is to see you.” There, I said it. I finally left no doubt as to what I wanted from him. Until then, I’d kept things vague by letting him do all the talking. And he’d talked a great game these past few weeks. But without the miles separating us, there was no valid excuse to keep pussyfooting around our relationship, for lack of a better word.
If taking things to the next level was what he wanted, then that was what he’d get. Time was ticking, and my cock couldn’t take another “fantasy” when the real deal was willing and within reach.
“I’m on my way,” he finally said, and in the process unleashed every ounce of pent-up desire I had carried for him for far too long.
I barely had time to shower and unpack my suitcase before my intercom sounded.
“Yes, Roger?”
“I have a Mr. Stanton here to see you,” my doorman said, announcing what I already knew.
“Thank you. Please send him up.”
A few minutes later, I stood in my doorway, waiting for the elevator to arrive. The chime echoed around the quiet hall as the doors slid open, and there stood Cooper, seeming confident—until he stepped toward me while nervously running a hand through his already messy hair.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I repeated before we stood inches apart, neither of us taking the reins. “Come in.”
The scent of his bodywash, or shampoo, or whatever it was assaulted my senses. The tight-fitting green T-shirt and equally tight jeans assaulted my libido. He shoved his hands in his pockets before turning to face me.
“Welcome home. I guess I should have said that to you earlier.”
“It’s good to be back. Is Becks driving you crazy?”
“Just a tad. She’s miserable. That kid doesn’t seem to want to come out.”
“She’s only two days late,” I reminded him, as I’d reminded his sister that morning.
“I guess even being two hours late while carrying a bowling ball around in this heat is too much.”
“True.” I mirrored his stance and asked, “Does she know you’re here?” The way his gaze shifted gave him away. “Where does she think you are?”
“A movie.”
“And she bought that?” I asked, amused. “I’m back in town and you suddenly decide to go to a movie? Rebecca isn’t that stupid.”
“Probably not,” he said with a shrug, not seeming at all concerned. “I’m not ready to out us.”
Even though there really wasn’t an us yet, and even though there still seemed to be an awkwardness on how to begin creating an us, his admission that there was an us pulled on something deep within me.
“So…” I closed the distance, coming toe to toe but not touching him otherwise. “What would you like us to do now?”
His eyes slid down to my lips and back up again. “I’d like us to eat. I’m starving.”
“It’s only five. What are you, sixty?”
“No.” He placed one hand on my chest before adding, “But the sooner we have dinner, the sooner we can relax.”
“Good idea,” I replied, wanting to mess with him a bit. “The Reds are on tonight.”
“The Reds? As in baseball?”
“Yep. Watching baseball is one of my favorite ways to relax.” I covered his hand with mine and leaned closer. “Who knows? Maybe someone will get lucky and make it to third base.”
Chapter Seventeen
Cooper
A crack of thunder rattled the glass panels of the patio doors behind us and plans of having dinner out on the balcony came to a crashing halt when the skies opened.
“Fuck,” he hollered above the roar of torrential rain. We grabbed our meals and darted inside but not before becoming drenched.
“Well, damn,” I said, looking down at my sodden sushi and placing the plate on his coffee table. “That came out of nowhere.”